If my calculations are correct, then this is the twenty-fourth day.
This is just my guess, but based on the time, I'm sure four hours have passed since I was thrown into this simulation world.
The Foggy Forest.
As the name suggests, this place is a nightmare for anyone who relies on their eyesight. Thick white fog hangs in the air, limiting visibility.
The silence here is unnatural. There is no birdsong. There is no sound of the wind. Only the sound of my own breathing, which sounds too loud in my ears.
"That means it's only been about four hours in the real world. That crazy professor really did apply an extreme time difference," I muttered.
So far, my strategy has been simple: Avoid Conflict.
As the storywriter who designed this map, I know the topography of the Mist Forest inside out. I know the northern sector is home to Giant Spiders. I know the eastern sector has a poisonous swamp. So, I moved along the safe path I hid for beginner players so they could grind without dying stupidly.
However, there was one variable I never accounted for in my game scenario.
Physiological Pain.
My stomach growled loudly. For the past two weeks, I had been constantly on the move due to monster attacks and had only been eating vegetables and fruits.
I stopped walking and pressed my stomach with my hand, which was covered in tight black clothing. A sharp pain wrapped around my stomach. On top of that, my throat felt dry and itchy.
"Damn it," I muttered softly.
This sensor suit not only transmits the physical pain of attacks, but also manipulates the nerves to mimic basic biological needs. This system forces my brain to believe that my body is dehydrated and starving, when in fact my real body inside the capsule is probably being supplied with nutrients through an IV.
This is crazy. They want to test whether prospective wizards can remain focused on casting spells when their stomachs are growling with hunger.
"I need water."
In my original story, there was a small river flowing from a mountain spring. The river was considered a safe area for novice players.
I changed direction. My feet moved nimbly over the muddy ground. My old habits as Five took over. That's why I didn't step on any dry branches. Everything was necessary to avoid attracting forest monsters. I didn't want to get involved in unnecessary fights. So far, I had only run as far as possible to avoid conflict.
Ten minutes later, I hear the sound of water gurgling.
I emerge from behind the bushes and find a three-meter-wide river with clear water. Without hesitation, I kneel on the riverbank, cup my hands, and drink the water.
It's cold and refreshing. The sensation of water moistening my dry throat feels so real that I get goosebumps.
"Great," I said sarcastically as I wiped my mouth. "Now, how do I satisfy this hunger? Especially since I've been traveling around the forest looking for food. But all I've found is this foggy forest."
At least with my thirst quenched, my focus was sharp again.
I sat cross-legged on a large rock by the river, resting my legs. My eyes remained alert, scanning the misty surroundings.
In the distance, a faint scream was heard.
Then, in an instant, it became silent.
I checked the waist pouch provided by the system. Its contents were pitiful: a short, blunt dagger and a wooden magic staff of poorer quality than firewood.
"Trash weapons," I commented, as the magic staff seemed to be on the verge of breaking.
Suddenly, my ears caught another sound.
Not a human scream. Rather, a low growl. The sound vibrated in the air, its frequency so low it shook my chest.
I didn't move. I just glanced out of the corner of my eye.
Across the river, from behind the thick fog, a pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared. Then another pair. And another pair.
Three. No, four.
Their figures slowly materialized from the darkness. Black, furry bodies that seemed to be made of smoke, sharp claws that emitted a purple aura, and fangs that dripped corrosive saliva.
Shadow Wolves.
"Ah, of course," I thought calmly, even though my heart was pumping adrenaline. "I've never met them in person. But I've heard that their sense of smell is very strong."
In the game, Shadow Wolves were annoying enemies. They had a passive Pack Tactics ability. If there were more than two of them, their attack speed increased by 50%.
And now, there were four of them staring at me as their lunch menu.
I slowly stood up. My movements were smooth, showing no threat, but also no fear.
The largest wolf, with a scar on its left eye, steps forward. It growls, signaling.
In an instant, the situation shifts from Survival to Combat.
The first wolf leaps across the river. Its body streaks like a black bullet, its fangs aimed directly at my neck.
Time seemed to slow down.
I could see saliva dripping from its jaw. I could see the muscles in its legs tense up.
I didn't use magic. Not yet. I just turned my body to the side.
The wolf shot past my shoulder.
As its body floated in the air right beside me, I slammed the blunt handle of my dagger into the spot behind its ear.
The wolf fell to the ground, convulsing, then its body shattered into blue particles.
The three remaining wolves froze for a moment. As if they were processing what had just happened. They... didn't run.
"Come on," I challenged softly, twirling the dagger in my hand. "Don't expect to kill me."
This time, they didn't attack one by one. They attacked simultaneously. Two from the front, one circling from behind. A classic encirclement tactic.
I couldn't rely solely on my physical strength. If I was bitten even slightly, the pain sensors would disrupt my concentration, and the sensors in my clothes would change color. I had to finish this without being touched.
I raised the worn wooden stick in my left hand.
"Sorry, I'm going to cheat a little," I whispered.
I didn't chant a long spell like the wizards taught. I knew a shortcut.
Instead of creating a large fireball that wasted mana, I condensed the mana at the tip of the stick into a marble-sized ball.
Mana Bullet.
"Fire."
Two blue bullets shot out. Not towards the wolves, but towards the ground in front of their running feet.
The muddy ground exploded. Splashes of mud and river water sprayed into the faces of the two attacking wolves, obscuring their vision.
They panicked, slipped, and collided with each other.
This was my chance. That's why I immediately lunged forward.
I kicked the jaw of the wolf that had fallen on the right, sending it flying into the river. Then I turned, swung my blade at the wolf on the left, and slit its throat.
Two more had been defeated.
Only one remained.
It didn't attack. It stood there, its yellow eyes staring at me with strange hatred. It realized its pack was gone in a matter of seconds.
Then, something surprising happened.
The fur on its back stood on end. Its mouth opened, and a dark purple ball of energy began to gather in its throat.
Shadow Blast?
My eyes widened and I shouted, "Damn it!"
The energy ball was fired at me very quickly and lethally.
I didn't have time to dodge.
I crossed my arms in front of my chest, channeling all my remaining mana into this sensor suit, hoping its protective features would work.
DAAAAR!
The energy blast thrown by the wolf hit me.
I was thrown backwards, my back hitting a large tree hard.
"Ugh...!"
Incredible pain exploded throughout my body. My lungs felt tight. My back felt broken.
"Damn. That hurt..." I muttered, coughing.
I immediately looked at my chest.
The white sensor was flashing. Then... the color stabilized back to white.
"I'm safe," I sighed in relief.
But the pain was real. I looked up. The monster was preparing for a second shot. It didn't give me time to breathe.
I couldn't hold on any longer. I had to kill it now.
I forced my legs to stand. Ignoring the pain signals sent by this damn suit.
I dropped my wooden staff. It was useless. I needed something faster.
Without thinking twice, I turned my right hand into a pistol and fired another Mana Bullet.
Unlike when using a magic staff. In fact, it was the anomaly in my body that made this possible. I continuously fired Mana Bullets nonstop while running around the monster.
Somehow, when I fired the Mana Bullets, the monster's entire body became stronger than usual. It seemed to be the effect of it unleashing Shadow Blast. Because in the game, I designed it so that when the monster unleashed Shadow Blast, the player could only dodge its attack.
But I was different. I wanted to break through that limitation. Just as I continuously unleashed Mana Bullets from my index finger, the monster also continuously unleashed Shadow Blast at me.
Until, for a moment, a gap appeared in the monster's movements. My Mana Bullet managed to enter the monster's throat.
BOOM!
The wolf's head exploded from the inside. Its body collapsed, then slowly faded into beautiful yet terrifying blue shards of light.
Silence returned.
Only the sound of my labored breathing, heavy and painful, could be heard.
I slumped down under a tree, clutching my chest.
"Only four hours..." I groaned, wiping the cold sweat from my forehead.
I looked at the sensor on my arm. Everything was still safe and under control, no injuries.
"Four monsters down," I muttered as I picked up my blade again. "Still two hours left."
I stared at the forest canopy covered in mist. Above, there was a small light that I somehow hadn't noticed. I fired another Bullet Mana at the light.
I smiled slightly, ignoring the pain in my ribs.
Until I realized. That from the very beginning, all the prospective new students of the pure magic department had become a spectacle for many people in the real world.
*****
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